Since there are only 2 USB ports within the MacBook, should I connect one of the MIDI controllers to the Focusrite audio interface or get a separate MIDI interface and connect it to one of the USB ports?

1 answer

michael.j.mclaughlin20

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240 answers 257 votes received

1 vote

So, you can just connect the Arturia Analog or the Akai APC 40 through the Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 via a 5din pin midi cable. However, you will need a power cable for your Arturia or APC 40. These usually come with the unit, but if you got yours used, you might just have to match the voltage and amps to the input written, or that you find in the manual (which can be found online for both of these).

If you don't want to do that, you can just get a powered USB Hub. These can expand one USB Port to anywhere from 4 to 10 with any amount of power you need.

I would just say to keep your soundcard off of the powered USB Hub, incase it loses power suddenly (which can ruin your sound card).

Try not to use unpowered USB Ports because if you hook up multiple high voltage devices like the ones you have listed above, you will possibly spontaneously lose power, or just not get power at all.